Code final outcome diagnosis - if available - not pre-op diagnosis

Article Overview

This premium article discusses how diagnosis coding may be handled when a colonoscopy begins as a screening exam but becomes a diagnostic procedure after findings during the test. It focuses on general guidance about whether to report the pre-operative diagnosis or the final outcome diagnosis, along with Medicare-related considerations and the role of supporting symptom or screening diagnoses. The content is intended for coding professionals working with colonoscopy, gastrointestinal, and Medicare billing scenarios.